How do you fully express and put into words the gratefulness you have for someone who has impacted your family's life so deeply?
You see, today was a big day in the life of our family (and I have tried to act like it's no big deal, but it is). Today was a graduation, and the ending of a chapter of our lives that has become so deeply a part of me and so deeply a part of Ellie. Early Intervention and our visits with Sarah Gaskins are over. Ellie graduated...
I think back to the day Sarah arrived at our house. It was April 2012. I was nervous. I was scared. I was in shock. I was in denial. And I was looking for hope. Enter Sarah and Bright Start. She loved Ellie before she even met her, and from the get go she filled our home with hope, joy, grace and goodness. Ellie was 4 months old, and our first visit we worked on getting her to move her head back and forth to strengthen her muscles, and now almost 5 years later, Ellie is putting three letter words together. I tear up just thinking about this.
Sarah helped us navigate Medicaid, therapies, paperwork, doctors, specialists, screenings, evaluations, medical tests, play dates, school, diet, IEPs....
She listened, encouraged and pushed me to raise awareness for PWS, as well as was my right hand at all our fundraising efforts.
She talked me down when I panicked, or got offended and hurt (having a child with delays is hard). And she was always one of the first people to call or text to ask how things were going, anytime something was going on with Ellie.
She learned Ellie's strengths and helped to hone and improve her weaknesses. She knows Ellie on a level that is incredible, and loves her so, so much.
I know even though her weekly visits will stop, and we won't complete the mounds of paperwork and weekly summaries...it's not over. We've gained something so much deeper. A best friend, a family member, a cheerleader, a world changer, and a difference maker. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.
Thank you, Sarah for all that you are and all that you do. God orchestrated this relationship when we were in the NICU and one of our nurses said, "I have a friend who works as an Early Interventionist. Tell them you want to work with Bright Start and ask for Sarah Gaskins." His plan is always perfect, even in the midst of our greatest struggle.
